Avandamet and Cholesterol

During clinical studies on Avandamet and cholesterol, the diabetes medicine was shown to increase HDL cholesterol and significantly decrease LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. Since people with diabetes are at an increased risk for heart disease, it is especially important for them to maintain good cholesterol levels.

 

Avandamet and Cholesterol: An Overview

Avandamet® (rosiglitazone and metformin) is a prescription medication that has been licensed to treat type 2 diabetes. The drug is a combination of two different diabetes medications: rosiglitazone maleate (Avandia®) and metformin hydrochloride (Fortamet®, Glucophage®, Glucophage XR®, Glumetza®, or Riomet®). Although Avandamet has many beneficial effects on blood sugar, it may also have useful effects on cholesterol as well.
 

Cholesterol Lowering With Avandamet: What Does the Research Show?

In studies, Avandamet lowered LDL cholesterol ("bad" cholesterol) by 0.2 percent and lowered total cholesterol by 2.2 percent on average. Avandamet lowered triglycerides by 18.7 percent. Also, Avandamet increased HDL cholesterol ("good" cholesterol) by 5.8 percent on average.
 
(Click Cholesterol Guidelines for more information about cholesterol levels.)
 

Avandamet and Cholesterol: Summary

Avandamet appears to have several beneficial effects on cholesterol.
 Avandamet increases HDL ("good cholesterol") and decreases triglycerides, LDL cholesterol ("bad" cholesterol), and total cholesterol.
 
Because people with diabetes are at an increased risk for heart disease (see Diabetes and Heart Disease), good cholesterol levels are especially important in people with diabetes. Talk to your healthcare provider about your specific cholesterol numbers and whether you need to take action (through diet, exercise, or medication) to improve them.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;